Potrero Hill, San Francisco

A call was to the police that a group of people were fighting in the area of 25th and Connecticut Streets. The caller stated that someone in the crowd claimed to have a gun. Plainclothes Officers Ellis and Kirchner were first on scene and were walking in the area. They spotted the group of people and walked towards them. The group saw the officers and acknowledged the officer’s presence. One male grabbed his waistband and took a few steps away from the approaching Officers.

The suspect began to walk away. Based on the information that the officers received and the actions of this person, it was reasonable to believe that this person had a gun. Officer Ellis ordered the male to stop. The male quickened his pace. Officer Ellis ran towards the male. The male now began to run. Officer Kirchner joined the chase.

The male slowed his pace and turned towards Officer Ellis and fired one shot towards him. Officer Ellis crouched down. Officer Ellis attempted to return fire but he saw an innocent bystander in the field of fire and did not shoot, fearing he might strike her.

The suspect continued to run with the Officers following. The suspect ran around the corner of a building. When Officer Ellis made the corner, a citizen told him that the suspect threw the gun in the grass. Officer Kirchner found the gun. The suspect was lost in the area of Dakota and 25th Streets.

A perimeter was established with the units that arrived on scene in an attempt to apprehend the suspect. Unfortunately he eluded capture. The gun was recovered. It was found to be a .38 caliber Colt with the serial number scratched off. The gun as well as a hat the suspect was wearing is being analyzed for forensic evidence.

Officers Ellis and Kirchner were not injured in the incident.

The suspect is described as a black male between 18-25 years old approximately 5’9” and 160 lbs. His hair was medium length twists and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a white t-shirt.

Sunday, May 28, 2006, 6:34PM, 1800 Block of 25th Street – Attempted Homicide of a Police Officer with a Firearm – CS# 060 566 456